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homosexual
- 6 dictionary resultsho⋅mo⋅sex⋅u⋅al
[hoh-muh-sek-shoo-uh
l or, especially Brit., -seks-yoo-] 
–adjective
| 1. | of, pertaining to, or exhibiting homosexuality. |
| 2. | of, pertaining to, or noting the same sex. |
–noun
| 3. | a homosexual person. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To homosexual
| ho·mo·sex·u·al (hō'mə-sěk'shōō-əl, -mō-) adj. Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex. n. Usage Problem A homosexual person; a gay man or a lesbian. Usage Note: Many people now avoid using homosexual because of the emphasis this term places on sexuality. Indeed, the words gay and lesbian, which stress cultural and social matters over sex, are frequently better choices. Homosexual is most objectionable when used as a noun; here gay man and gay woman or lesbian and their plural forms are called for. It is generally unobjectionable when used adjectivally, as in a homosexual relationship, although gay, lesbian, or same-sex are also available for adjectival use. See Usage Note at gay. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
homosexual (adj.)
1892, in C.G. Chaddock's translation of Krafft-Ebing's "Psychopathia Sexualis," from homo-, comb. form of Gk. homos "same" (see same) + Latin-based sexual (see sex).
" 'Homosexual' is a barbarously hybrid word, and I claim no responsibility for it." [H. Havelock Ellis, "Studies in Psychology," 1897]The noun is first recorded 1912 in Eng., 1907 in French. In technical use, either male or female; but in non-technical use almost always male. Slang shortened form homo first attested 1929. The alternative homophile (1960) was coined in ref. to the homosexual regarded as a person of a particular social group, rather than a sexual abnormality. Homo-erotic first recorded 1916; homophobia is from 1969.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Language Translation for : homosexual
Spanish:
homosexual,
German:
homosexuell,
Japanese:
同性愛の (人)
Main Entry: 1ho·mo·sex·u·al
Pronunciation: "hO-m&-'seksh-(&-)w&l, -'sek-sh&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward individuals of one's own sex —compare
2 : of, relating to, or involving sexual intercourse between individuals of the same sex —compare
Main Entry: 2homosexual
Function: noun
: a homosexual individual and especially a male
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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homosexual ho·mo·sex·u·al (hō'mə-sěk'sh&oomacr;-əl, -mō-)
adj.
Of, relating to, or having a sexual orientation to persons of the same sex. n.
A homosexual person; a gay man or a lesbian.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
